NEW DELHI: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), that celebrated 12 years of its operation on Wednesday, claimed to have kept nearly 3.9 lakh vehicles off roads in 2014. The head of DMRC, Mangu Singh, said the Metro helped save Rs 10,364 crore in fuel, time saved in commuting and other benefits. It also helped reduce air pollution and accidents.

The figures, revised and calculated by Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), quantify the benefits of the 190km-long Delhi Metro network. The numbers are certainly eye-opener. According to CRRI, the Metro also saved 32 minutes on every trip taken by a commuter. This is a jump from the 28 minutes saved in 2011.

Delhi Metro saved Rs 1,972 crore in fuel conserved. In absolute terms, it saved 2.7 lakh tonnes of fuel in 2014 as against 1.06 lakh tonnes in 2011. The savings in cost of vehicle - capital and operation - was Rs 2,617 crore while individually, Delhi Metro commuters saved Rs 4,107 crore in terms of money from time saved.

That's not all. The Delhi Metro also impacted the accident figures in the city. The annual reduction in fatal accidents was 125 in 2014 as against 111 and 21 in 2011 and 2007 respectively when Phase II of the network was constructed. The annual reduction in terms of accidents per se was 937 in 2014 as against 591 and 93 in 2011 and 2007 respectively.

The amount from time and fuel saved due to decongestion resulting from Delhi Metro is Rs 491 crore. Savings from reduction in pollution due to Metro was Rs 489 crore. In fact, the total savings from all the benefits is Rs 10, 364 crore in 2014. All the figures are based on a daily ridership of 27 lakh.

DMRC also introduced a number of features this year. Besides the opening of two stations — Janpath and Mandi House — the Delhi Metro also converted 11 trains into eight-coach trains, maintained an average punctuality percentage of 99.88% and increased the ridership by over 20,000 passengers from last year.

The annual reduction in fatal accidents was an impressive 125 in 2014 as against 111 and 21 in 2011 and 2007 respectively.